Tour du Mont Blanc

A classic walk through France, Italy & Switzerland

The memories of a walk on the Tour du Mont Blanc will stay with you forever! The Tour du Mont Blanc trek is demanding – climbing six passes, traversing around huge glaciers and hiking through spectacular alpine scenery – but incredibly rewarding. The Tour du Mont Blanc is a classic walking adventure and is justly famous as one of the world’s best Alpine treks; every step of the way offers jaw-dropping scenery with many points of interest along the way.

Every single step offers incredible mountain scenery: unfolding panoramas of glaciers and jagged peaks, meadows with alpine cows and wildflowers, ibex, friendly marmots, verdant forest, and refuges perched spectacularly on mountain passes.

Tour du Mont Blanc

THE RAW TRAVEL DIFFERENCE

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AUTHENTIC ACCOMMODATION

No dormitories here. Our Alps trips use a mixture of small hotels and refuges with private rooms so you can come back to a comfortable room each night and get a good night's sleep - an essential component for your enjoyment where you are working hard on the trails each day.

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INTERNATIONAL MOUNTAIN LEADERS

We have our own staff of experienced and qualified International Mountain leaders. Not only do they know the trek routes exceptionally well but they will excel in looking after you; your safety is our priority in an alpine environment. All our guides are native English speakers, so clear communication is never an issue.

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LUGGAGE DELIVERY & FOOD EXTRAS

We have private luggage transfer service to take charge of the luggage delivery each day , no mules here. We supplement the food provided by the refuges with fresh food items brought in by our driver for your breakfast, lunch and snacks. In our experience, a well-fed walker is a happy walker.

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LOCAL SUPPORT, LOCAL INSIGHTS

Some of our team live in Chamonix year-round and know the area intimately, so they can offer you the best of the variants to the main route and inform you about the unmissable local attractions.

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Tour du Mont Blanc

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8 Days

Tour du Mont Blanc

Tour du Mont Blanc – Highlights

Guided Strenuous
  • A condensed version of Europe’s classic mountain hike
  • Fully supported by our expert mountain guide
  • Jaw-dropping alpine scenery and friendly wildlife encounters
  • Culinary specialities and fascinating history
from

$3,490.00

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13 Days

Tour du Mont Blanc

The Mont Blanc Circuit – Tour du Mont Blanc

Guided Strenuous
  • Europe’s most classic mountain walk
  • Experience spectacular Alpine scenery
  • Walk with an experienced English speaking guide
  • Trek through three countries: France, Italy and Switzerland
from

$5,250.00

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13 Days

Tour du Mont Blanc

The Self-Guided Trip – Tour du Mont Blanc

Self-Guided Strenuous
  • Trek through France, Italy & Switzerland
  • Culinary specialities from each country
  • Experience spectacular towering mountain scenery
  • This self-guided hike is for a private group of 4+ people
from

$4,090.00

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TMB Route Map

Chamonix

This town is dominated by the mighty Mont Blanc massif with tumbling glaciers visible from the main street. There are many attractions including the Aguille Du Midi cablecar with its stupendous views and restaurant, the glacier express railway, and whitewater rafting right in the town. Plus Europe’s best selection of outdoor gear shops along its attractive streets.

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Les Houches

A small town situated at 1000m of altitude and lying at the foot of Mont-Blanc (4810m), Les Houches offers an exceptional panorama of the peaks surrounding Chamonix. The village itself boasts charming chalets, hotels and restaurants where you can savour delicious Savoyard cuisine including fondue, raclette and and hearty mountain dishes.

Les Contamines

This small picturesque village has a beautiful Baroque church in the nearby wooded valley and a Roman Bridge on the TMB Trail which leads to the Col du Bon Homme. It is surrounded by stunning natural beauty, including snow-capped peaks, lush forests, and alpine meadows. It offers breathtaking views of Mont Blanc, the highest peak in the Alps.

Les Chapieux

Les Chapieux is an idyllic hamlet and one of the last stops in France before you cross to Italy. Situated at an altitude of about 1,550m, it serves as a gateway to the stunning Mont Blanc Massif and the Tarentaise Valley. The village exudes tranquility and offers a glimpse into traditional alpine life with its charming wooden chalets and breathtaking alpine vistas.

Col de la Seigne

This pass (2516m) straddles the border between France and Italy connecting the Italian Valle d’Aosta region with France’s Savoie region. If offers awe-inspiring panoramic vistas of the Mont Blanc Massif, including the imposing Mont Blanc itself, and the long valley descent to Courmayeur. The breathtaking alpine landscape, with rugged peaks, pristine glaciers, and alpine meadows stretches as far as the eye can see.

Courmayeur

This charming Italian ski town is nestled in the heart of the Aosta Valley at the foot of Mont Blanc. It provides a welcome taste of civilisation at the midway point of the trek. Courmayeur has a vibrant culinary scene, offering delicious Italian cuisine, including regional specialties like hearty pasta dishes and delectable cheeses.

Rifugio Bonatti

Named after renowned Italian mountaineer Walter Bonatti, this mountain hut is situated in a truly spectacular setting, perched at an elevation of approximately 2,025m above sea level in the heart of the Mont Blanc Massif. The welcoming hosts ensure a warm and friendly atmosphere for guests.

 

 

 

La Fouly

Your first stop in Switzerland lives up to the hype! The picture-perfect scenery of the Val Ferret is hard to overstate. La Fouly sits at the head of a verdant forested valley, populated by small hamlets of old Swiss wooden chalets. It is one of the most enjoyable sections of the Tour du Mont Blanc.

Champex

The charming village of Champex is ocated in the French-speaking Swiss canton of Valais and one of our overnight stops on the TMB. The village lies at 1,470m on the shore of Lac de Champex, at the foot of the Mont Blanc Massif. It is a starting point for many hikes into the surrounding mountains and huts.

Trient

Trient is a small village in the district of Martigny in the canton of Valais in Switzerland. It is the last stop in Switzerland before heading over the Col de Balme back into France. The village has retained much of its historical charm. Its traditional wooden chalets, many of which date back centuries, showcase the region’s architectural heritage.

Argentière

Laidback Argentière, at the foot of the impressive Argentière Glacier, is surrounded by majestic peaks, including the iconic Aiguille Verte. In summer it’s a magnet for outdoor enthusiasts, attracting hikers, mountain bikers and rockclimbers.

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Tour du Mont Blanc

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

WHEN IS THE BEST TIME TO TREK TOUR DU MONT BLANC?

The trekking season for Tour du Mont Blanc (TMB) is June to September. Outside of these times the passes are most often blocked with snow and hiking is not recommended. Plus many of the accommodations are closed. Find out more about the best time to trek and when to see the wildflowers. No matter which month you walk, we’re sure you will love the experience!

What is the terrain and altitude like on the Tour du Mont Blanc?

The Tour du Mont Blanc is a high-altitude trail around the entire Mont Blanc massif, taking walkers through three countries: France, Italy and Switzerland. The terrain is mountainous, rocky and often rough underfoot, but there are also plenty of graded paths. There are sometimes long steady ascents and descents, and the odd steep climb, as well as pass crossings. Mont Blanc itself is the highest mountain in Western Europe at 4808m. While trekking around this spectacular mountain you’ll climb up to an elevation of 2500m and enjoy some of the best views in the world.

How Difficult is the Tour du Mont Blanc?

Tour du Mont Blanc is a strenuous hike. We recommend that you undertake a training program according to your level of fitness for at least 3 months leading up to your departure. Regular exercise prior to the trip will allow you to build your fitness steadily so that you will enjoy and complete the trip with a smile and energy left over.

All our guided treks are led by experienced International Mountain Leaders. They are English-speaking/bilingual professional guides, trained in first-aid and fully versed in the local environment and evacuation procedures, so you are in safe hands and will be well looked after. Most of our guides originate from the UK. They are passionate about the mountains and have each led many successful Mont Blanc treks.

Is the Tour du Mont Blanc similar to the Italian Dolomites?

The ascents and descents of the TMB and the Italian Dolomites are very similar. The big difference with the Dolomites is the paths: they are a little narrower and steeper in sections than the TMB and sometimes more exposed. Dizzying heights and steep slopes are a feature of the walks in this area, so you need to be prepared for this. The Dolomites are not suitable for people who experience vertigo!

Where do you start when hiking the Tour du Mont Blanc?

The starting point is Chamonix (France). This charming Alpine town is dominated by the mighty Mont Blanc massif with tumbling glaciers visible from the main street. There are many attractions including the Aguille Du Midi cablecar with its stupendous views and restaurant, the glacier express railway, and whitewater rafting right in the town. Plus Europe’s best selection of outdoor gear shops along its attractive streets.

How long does it take to hike the Tour du Mont Blanc?

The full guided circuit trek is 13 days in total: 10 days of walking, plus a rest day and arrival and departure days. Daily distances range from 12–20km with a total distance of 170km. Our 8-day Highlights Trip is a condensed version of the full circuit trek. We use vehicle transfers along some of the valley sections but still take in all the passes and highlights of the full circuit.

What are the highlights of hiking the Tour du Mont Blanc Trek?

Rated as one of the top 5 mountain treks in the world, the Tour du Mont Blanc is one of Europe’s finest. This world-famous route circles the highest mountain in Western Europe, crossing from France into Italy and Switzerland. It offers all the excitement of a high mountain trek, with few of the worries. No technical mountaineering skills are required. You’ll get to appreciate different cultures, food and people while trekking through glorious Alpine scenery.

What are the most scenic spots along the Tour du Mont Blanc?

Every single step on the Tour du Mont Blanc offers incredible mountain scenery: panoramas of glaciers and jagged peaks, meadows with alpine cows and wildflowers, verdant forest, and huts perched spectacularly on mountain passes. This dramatic scenery is why this trek is continually featured in the best walks of the world.

What should I pack for hiking Tour du Mont Blanc?

Pack as lightly as possible. We recommend keeping the weight under 12kg for your main luggage, which is transported daily for you throughout the trip. You carry only a daypack during the day. Suitcases are not recommended. Most travellers carry their luggage in a duffel, as you will need to carry this each night upstairs in your accommodation. See our suggested packing list.

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Custom trips

Private groups

If you have a group of friends or family you can request one of these trips as your own private departure. Consider a customised trip, individually tailored to your ideal walking distances and timeframes. Have a look at our tailor-made trips page on the link below and drop us a line:

Customise this trip

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